Christmas Sweet Potato Casserole Recipes to Enjoy

Maybe you went to stores and came across these wonderful tubers on the rack! And now you have a whole bag of sweet potatoes in the house! Wondering what to do with them? Well, you can make some sumptuous casseroles! After all, with the Christmas holidays around the corner, you must be worrying about what are some of the dishes you can try out during this time! Well, casseroles and sweet potatoes are a brilliant combination and we have twenty exclusive recipes for you! But before we begin, let's find out some facts that you didn't know about sweet potatoes before!

Lesser known facts about making sweet potatoes ( tips to cook, store and preserve them)

Sweet potatoes are quite an intriguing veggie or root whatever you call it! Isn't it fascinating to learn the marveling mechanism of plants storing food for themselves in the roots and we end up consuming these swollen roots? Of course, it is! And therefore, we have these awesome facts for you to unravel.

1. A quick glimpse into the history of sweet potatoes -

Here is something interesting for the ones who take an interest in learning about the history of certain dishes and recipes! Sweet potatoes are a tropical plant and were cultivated all over the region of North America even before Columbus arrived on the New land! In fact, it is from America that sweet potatoes spread to Europe. As trade routes proved around the world, the popularity of sweet potatoes also spread across the globe!

They were easily picked up for cultivation in all the regions given how easy they were to grow, and how full of nutrition these are! Since sweet potatoes require a warmer climate for cultivation it is produced in the Southeastern states, most notably in North Carolina. Puddings, casseroles, pies are the common dishes that are made with potatoes along with bonfires where the whole potatoes are roasted and consumed.

2. Anatomy of sweet potatoes as root veggies-

We have often seen that plant roots are fibrous and dry! This is because they are technically pipes for the absorption of moisture from the soil and transporting it to other parts of the plant. But this is not the same in the case of sweet potatoes where the roots are swollen and fleshy due to stored food. Like carrots, parsnips, radishes, and manioc, sweet potatoes are also classified as edible roots which are non-fibrous in nature.

3. Yam and sweet potatoes! Are they the same?

This can be confusing for everyone unless you have gone through this article and cleared your doubt! For a long time, we assumed that yam and sweet potatoes are more or less the same thing. But are they? Let's find out!

Yams are basically starchy, tough, white-fleshed tubers of tropical plants that belong to Africa, South America, and the Pacific. The roots extend up to six feet into the ground. Yam was inherent to Africa but when traders arrived there from America, they introduced sweet potatoes in this region which were merely adopted by the Africans as well. When these Africans arrived in America as slaves, they continued to use the word yam as an interchangeable term for sweet potatoes which looked quite alike! Hence here is where the confusion began. Original yam is rarely produced in America and what you see in the market as labeled yam might be a darker version of sweet potatoes rather.

4. Nutritive value of sweet potatoes -

Once we are done with the confusion of titles and names, there is no place to doubt the nutritive value of sweet potatoes! These are rich sources of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. A standard-size sweet potato has about 60 calories and a whole lot of dietary fiber or roughage as well. Other nutrients include B vitamins, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, calcium, zinc, chromium, and so on.

5. How do you choose the best sweet potato in the market?

If you are headed for the supermarket and wondering how to know whether the sweet potatoes which you pick are fresh or not, we have got you covered! The good news is that if you see sprouts on the surface of the sweet potatoes, there is no need for you to worry! These are completely edible and non-toxic, unlike white potatoes.

The weight of the sweet potatoes is also an indicating factor about the freshness of sweet potatoes. If the skin feels soft and mushy and smells rotten then the sweet potatoes are not good to buy! You should not buy the shriveled ones as well! Too lightweight ones can be mostly devoid of any nutritive fluid inside the flesh!

6. How do you use and store sweet potatoes?

If you have finally bought a fresh bag of sweet potatoes then the next concern will be to understand how you can store them well! A dark and cool spot that is well-ventilated and present at room temperature is the ideal place to store your sweet potatoes. You need to keep them away from light and heat sources since they are underground roots and are used to a darker ambiance! This way the sweet potatoes can last up to even two weeks.

If you keep them near the light source, then that will lead to the production of chlorophyll and as a result, the sweet potatoes can even turn bitter. If you observe green patches, that can indicate the formation of excess chlorophyll inside! You must avoid these sweet potatoes as they can turn bitter!

One is also recommended against storing sweet potatoes in the refrigerator for a couple of reasons-

• Temperature below 40°F can compel and aid the reaction of readily converted starch to sugar. With an even higher level of sugar in them, the sweet potatoes can get burnt easily on being roasted and you do not want that!
• The veggies can enter into the state of hardcore, a situation where the center of the veggies remains hard even while it is properly cooked due to injuries to the internal structure.

So that is all you need to learn about storing sweet potatoes when you have bought a bulk of them and do not need them all at once!

Of course this time we are going to focus on making some wonderful sweet potato casserole recipes! With Christmas knocking at our doors, we can hardly wait to begin.

Delicious Christmas Sweet Potato Casserole Recipes

1. The best sweet potato casserole recipe

If you are baking a sweet potato casserole then do not forget to top it with some crunchy streusel layer! Gooey inside and crumbly outside, there is nothing as good as this one! So what are you waiting for? Go for it already!

2. Sweet potato casserole with marshmallow

The sweet potato casserole with a rich and luxurious marshmallow topping tastes so wonderful indeed! Fabulous and packed with flavors, the recipe is so gorgeous and renders one simply speechless! So shall we get started with the preps then?

3. Sweet potato casserole with butter pecan crumble toppings

The crunchy and smooth butter pecan crumble topping is simply extraordinary and flooded with great taste! Sweet and savory, this recipe is outstanding and renders one simply speechless! Are you ready to experience its blissful taste?

4. The best sweet potato casserole

If you haven't tried sweet potato casserole this season then we are sorry to say that you are missing out on something truly divine. Enriching and gooey, this side dish will turn out to be the showstopper every time.

5. Sweet potato casserole with marshmallow streusel

Ah, we are talking about the tempting sweet potato casserole with a rich marshmallow streusel! This will definitely bring water to your mouth at the very sight of the dish! So what are you waiting for? Make it today!

6. Cracker barrel sweet potato casserole

We have the most amazing sweet potato casserole for you right here! Flavorful and rich, this recipe stands out to be the most extraordinary treat for vegan dieters during the holidays. Even kids will not complain that there is no meat!

7. Sweet potato casserole with pecan

Wish to make the cozy dinner with your family even more comforting? Then perhaps you should try out the sweet potato casserole which is topped with pecan and tastes so divine indeed. Shall we give it a try then?

8. Savory sweet potato casserole

If you are trying out the cheesy treat with sweet potatoes for the first time, we cannot guarantee that you will end up finishing the whole bowl in a second! With the cheesy sweet potato casserole on the table, anything is possible.

9. Mexican sweet potato casserole

Flooded with Tex-mex seasoning, shredded chicken, chipotle sauce, and corn, the recipe is one of its kind. It brings out the true flavors of Mexican cuisine with a Mexican cheese mix! Did we mention that the dish is high in protein and low in calories?

10. Cranberry and pecan sweet potato casserole

How can we miss out on the gorgeous pecan and sweet potato casserole? But the surprise does not end here! Drizzled with cranberry chunks, the recipe is one of a kind. Try it out for sure!

11. Bourbon sweet potato casserole with sweet and savory bacon and pecans

If you are in the mood for something elaborate then this casserole with sweet potatoes is the best to indulge in this season! The savory bourbon casserole steals the show every time it is present on the table.

12. Sweet potato casserole with pecan brown sugar crumb toppings

Ah, what a lovely choice! We are talking about the wonderful sweet potato casserole topped with pecan and brown sugar! This recipe is amazing with the right contrast between the crispy and cozy consistency of the dish!

13. Healthy sweet potato baked oatmeal casserole

Wonderful and rich, the healthy sweet potato baked oatmeal casserole is another gorgeous dish that renders one simply spellbound at the very first bite! Yup, we are talking about the yummy treat to escalate the joy of the season.

14. Bourbon sweet potato crunch casserole

Well, well, well! How can we make a list of sweet potato casserole and then miss out on adding the Bourbon sweet potato crunch casserole to the list? Delicious, crumbly, and gooey, do give it a try for sure.

15. Praline sweet potato casserole

Ah, the classic Praline sweet potato casserole recipe is waiting for us right here! Delectable and juicy, you can enjoy it as a side dish to the main course! Warm and cozy, ideal to escalate the joy of the winter.

16. Cheesy and mashed sweet potato casserole with bacon

The combination of bacon and cheddar cheese is indeed a match made in heaven! You are definitely going to fall in love with this mesmerizing idea which leaves one completely speechless. Loaded with meaty chunks, go for this one already!

17. Cinnamon streusel swirled maple sweet potato casserole

The combination of maple and the subtle essence of cinnamon renders one with a sense of temptation for more and more. The sweet maple essence is truly commendable and you must give it a try this season!

18. Southern sweet potato casserole

If you are in the mood for something enriching and enticing at the same time then you must go ahead with the classic Southern sweet potato casserole. Delectable and fancy, the dish is even ideal when the guests are coming over!

19. The ultimate holiday sweet potato casserole

Rendering one with a sense of temptation and urge to consume more and more, every bite will leave you asking for more! Here is the ultimate holiday casserole recipe which you can not miss out on especially for Christmas.

20. Sweet potato casserole with marshmallow and cinnamon streusel

We have to end the discussion with the gorgeous sweet potato casserole with marshmallows which is a tradition for Christmas! The subtle cinnamon essence streusel is simply outstanding! So shall we try it out then?

Frequently asked questions associated with making sweet potato casserole for Christmas

1. Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes?

If you are making sweet potato casserole, the sweet potato cubes must be boiled before they are baked from a nutritional standpoint. You should always add pre-cooked veggies to the casserole.

2. Should you peel the skin of the sweet potatoes before cooking them?

There is not much difference it makes when you decide to keep or peel the skin off the sweet potato! However, the skin contains nutrients and gives a boost of fibers and potassium into your casserole if you let them remain.

3. Is it alright to consume sweet potatoes every day?

There is no harm in consuming sweet potatoes every day as they are enriched by several nutrients and dietary fibers! But having the same veggie again and again can get boring. Plus, there are so many other vegetables to try out so why just stick to sweet potatoes only?

4. How long should you cook sweet potatoes?

If you are pre-cooking sweet potatoes before you add them to the casserole, seven to ten minutes is ideal if they are chopped into slices or chunks! Otherwise, you may boil them quickly if they are present as a whole and need to be mashed later on.

5. How do you know that the sweet potatoes are ready while baking or boiling?

During the process of boiling or baking by the end of the process, you are expected to check with a fork! Poke and insert it into the veggie and see if you feel any resistance, if not then the veggies are ready!

Bottom Line-

Christmas sweet potato casserole recipes make for a delicious holiday dish that everyone in the family can enjoy. From traditional recipes such as the classic cowboy casserole to vegan alternatives like mashed sweet potato casserole, there's something to please everyone's palate. These recipes are also simple to make and require minimal ingredients, making them the perfect addition to any holiday party. Add a special seasonal touch to your holiday meal this year with these easy and tasty sweet potato casserole recipes!

"Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate" - Alan D. Wolfelt.

This holiday season, gather your family around the table to enjoy these delicious sweet potato casserole recipes and express your love language through food. Let’s savor the deliciousness of these scrumptious recipes while remembering to cherish the moments we have with our friends and family.

So this year, don’t forget to add a special seasonal touch to your holiday meal and create lasting, delicious memories with your loved ones.

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